For around 20 years time has stood still outside a Bridge Street jewellers since its elegant clock was wrecked by vandals.

But now the 100-year-old feature is back in business after a £4,000 restoration.

Tony Osborne had planned to repair the clock when he first took over the shop eight years ago and applied for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to help pay for the work.

He was offered some cash, but had second thoughts about the venture when he discovered that time was going to be a lot more money than expected.

However, when fascia experts Jonsigns of Gateshead came up with a better quote while working on Osborne's Jewellers new frontage this year, the opportunity was snapped up.

The company spent about six weeks restoring the clock casing, while skilled clockmaker Keith Fawson worked on some new mechanics. Last week it was returned to its stand at the heart of Morpeth town centre.

"When I took over the shop the clock had been vandalised and wasn't working.

"I did try to restore it years ago and I did get offered a grant towards it, but it was going to cost much, much more so I have been saving up since," said Mr Osborne.

"I have just had a new sign fitted and the company that did the work suggested it could restore the case of the clock so we got our clockmaker to put in the mechanics.

"I have wanted it done ever since we came here, I just haven't been able to afford it, so it is nice to see it finally restored."